Side effect of the depo-provera shot?

Question

I got the "shot" and I wanted know how soon you would start to feel the side effects. When I got it I felt dizzy shortly thereafter and had a headache but once I went to bed it was fine. What's up with the decrease in sex drive? How soon will you gain weight? So far my appetite has been the same

Answer 1

I think the worst side effect of DP is the loss of bone density. You lose calcium and your bones weaken and break. That's a HUGE problem, esp. if you have a family history of osteoporosis. In 40 years, there will be a generational cohort of hunched-over little women whose skeletons have been crippled by long-term DP use.

Weight gain associated with hormonal birth control is not caused by an increase in appetite. It is caused by a tendency to retain water and fat. Taking DP and other birth control formulas can trigger your body into hording fat. The process is gradual, but can be controlled by diet and exercise.

Hormonal birth control can also mess with your moods. you might lose some libido, or your libido might go through the roof. it might give you mood swings. If you have a history of depression, hormonal birth control (including DP) is not a good idea because those hormones can exacerbate your condition.

The dizziness is unlikely to have anything to do with the shot itself. Birth control hormones are slow-acting hormones. They aren't really capable of doing anything immediately.

If you smoke or have a history of stroke or blood clots, DP and other hormonal birth control methods can be dangerous as it elevates your risk for clots and stroke.

As for bleeding. Some women don't get periods while on DP. Others bleed continuously. And others get a bit of intermittent spotting. Hard to predict what it'll do for you.

I'm not a big fan of DP, especially for young women, because of the risks involved. but if you have no problems while on DP, then more power to you.

Just remember to: avoid soda pops with phosphoric acid (check the ingredients of phosphoric acid or phosphate), take calcium supplements, don't smoke, eat right and exercise.

Answer 2

You may not experience any side effects. I've been on the shot for years and have had none. Any weight gain I've had was from what I put in my mouth, and with diet/exercise it went away...no headaches or dizziness ever...and no decreased sex drive (in fact I've had some of the highest sex drive I've ever had, at times during the past 10 yrs that I've been on the shot).

Each person is different...don't sit around waiting for side effects or mentally manufacturing them...just go about your life and if you notice any significant changes that trouble you, then talk to your doctor.

I love the shot and hope they'll let me stay on it 'til menopause...I totally dig not dealing with having a period! (I'm 41)

Answer 3

These are possible side effects. Possible. Meaning that you may not experience anything. I've been on the shot for over a year and I haven't had a problem. I haven't gained any weight and my sex drive is fine. It's different for each person. There is no certain time that you will feel the side effects if you feel them at all. Just pay attention to yourself and figure out if there is anything out of the norm with yourself.

Answer 4

I wish people would stop taking it...I took one shot, gained 15 pounds and bleed for about 6 months straight...tell me, whats the point of being on birth control if you can't even have sex? choose another form